diff --git a/config.h b/config.h
index c8921bd..eab1df9 100644
--- a/config.h
+++ b/config.h
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ char *termname = "st-256color";
 unsigned int tabspaces = 8;
 
 /* bg opacity */
-float alpha = 0.8;
+float alpha = 0.9;
 
 /* Terminal colors (16 first used in escape sequence) */
 static const char *colorname[] = {
diff --git a/st.c b/st.c
index 618e11b..0e5e3f5 100644
--- a/st.c
+++ b/st.c
@@ -1970,6 +1970,8 @@ strhandle(void)
 				 * TODO if defaultbg color is changed, borders
 				 * are dirty
 				 */
+				if (j == defaultbg)
+					xclearwin();
 				redraw();
 			}
 			return;
diff --git a/win.h b/win.h
index a6ef1b9..d7b4980 100644
--- a/win.h
+++ b/win.h
@@ -37,3 +37,4 @@ void xsetpointermotion(int);
 void xsetsel(char *);
 int xstartdraw(void);
 void xximspot(int, int);
+void xclearwin(void);
diff --git a/x.c b/x.c
index 47e4dea..55f4a61 100644
--- a/x.c
+++ b/x.c
@@ -831,6 +831,13 @@ xclear(int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2)
 			x1, y1, x2-x1, y2-y1);
 }
 
+void
+xclearwin(void)
+{
+	xclear(0, 0, win.w, win.h);
+}
+
+
 void
 xhints(void)
 {